United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1985
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior, with respect to specified submerged areas located in the Pacific Ocean off the California coastline and in the Atlantic Ocean off the Massachusetts coastline, from: (1) issuing any oil and gas lease; (2) granting any license or permit for any activity which both affects the areas and involves drilling for oil, gas, or geological data acquisition; or (3) approving any exploration plan or any development and production plan which provides for such activities. Sets forth termination dates for the drilling moratorium.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that no deductions shall be allowed for advertising or other promotion expenses with respect to arms sales.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1985
(Motion to refer to Committee on House Administration passed House, roll call #24 (168-167)) Proclaims March 17 through March 23, 1985, to be Camp Fire Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1985
Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide that if the Secretary of Health and Human Services enters into a risk-sharing contract with an eligible organization (either a health maintenance organization or a competitive medical plan) offering a "hospital-based comprehensive care program," then the entity need not meet certain requirements for Medicare participation which would otherwise have to be met. Defines a "hospital-based comprehensive care program."
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Amends the United States Code to insert: (1) "Part C - Load Lines of Vessels;" and (2) "Part J - Measurement of Vessels." Combines the requirements of specified statutes regarding load line criteria and applies such criteria to American vessels on international voyages and domestic ocean voyages. (Applies to American-flag vessels the load line criteria of the 1966 Load Line Convention to which the United States is a signatory. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary of the Navy in time of war) to: (1) consider local conditions when making load line determinations; and (2) exempt vessels which operate under equivalent safety conditions. Implements the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 to apply to American vessels the international standards of vessel measurement. (Such Convention was ratified by the United States in 1982.) Requires applicable vessels to be measured by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating in accordance with the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 (Convention) and this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue such vessels an International Tonnage Certificate (1969) upon completion of the measurement. Requires the Secretary to accept the tonnage and certificate of vessels of any country that complies with or approximates the provisions of the Convention. Authorizes the Secretary to inspect any vessel to verify compliance with such provisions. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1985
Prohibits any person employed by or acting on behalf of the U.S. Government from conspiring or engaging in an assassination. Prohibits any Federal agency from participating in or requesting any person to engage in an assassination.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1985
High Risk Occupational Disease Notification and Prevention Act of 1985 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research into improving the means of: (1) surveillance of employees exposed to occupational health hazards; and (2) medical monitoring and treatment of employees exposed to occupational hazards. Provides that such research shall be conducted primarily through the occupational and environmental health centers established under this Act. Lists areas such research is to include (among which are: studying the etiology and development of such diseases; developing means of medical surveillance of exposed employees; and developing educational programs). Directs the Secretary to undertake or sponsor additional epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory research to identify and define additional employee populations at risk of occupational disease. Provides that: (1) this expanded research shall be conducted or sponsored by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); and (2) in conducting such research, NIOSH shall have access to prior and current employment, occupational, and health-related data and information maintained by Federal agencies. Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out such research, to employ experts and consultants. Establishes a Risk Assessment Board, within NIOSH, to: (1) review current medical and other scientific studies and reports concerning the incidence of disease associated with employment; (2) report to the Secretary on the state of current research on such diseases; and (3) designate, from such review, employee populations at risk of disease associated with hazardous occupational exposures. Sets forth factors which the Board must consider in identifying such populations at risk. Directs the Board, within ten days of making a finding that a class or category of workers is a population at increased risk (30 percent greater incidence of disease than a comparable worker population not exposed to the hazardous occupational exposure) or a population at high risk (100 percent greater incidence than the comparable worker population not exposed), to recommend to the Secretary that individuals within such populations be notified and, in cases of high risk, be eligible for services and information under this Act. Gives priority for Board review to those employee populations exposed to hazardous occupational exposures for which there already exists a permanent standard under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Requires the Board to transmit to the Secretary its findings and recommendations on these employee populations within one year after the effective date of this Act. Directs the Secretary, upon determination that a given class or category of employee is a population at risk of occupational disease, to notify each individual within such population at risk. Sets forth the required contents of such notification, including counseling information. Directs the Secretary to establish a telephone "hot line" for the personal physicians of employees who have received such notification, to provide additional medical and scientific information concerning the nature of the risk and its associated disease. Directs the Secretary to prepare and distribute other medical and health promotion material and information on any risk subject to such notification requirements and its associated disease as the Secretary deems appropriate. Provides that, in carrying out such notification responsibilities, the Secretary shall have access to information and data contained in any Federal agency records, solely for the purpose of obtaining names, addresses, and work histories of employees subject to such notification. Directs the Secretary to establish and certify occupational and environmental health centers. Provides that such centers shall be selected from: (1) educational resource centers of NIOSH and similar centers of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences; and (2) at a later date, existing health care facilities, in an appropriate number to obtain even regional distribution of such centers throughout the United States. Sets forth criteria for selection of such centers. Requires such centers to be capable of providing research resources, diagnosis, treatment, medical monitoring, and family services for employees notified under this Act who are at high risk of occupational disease. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop criteria governing the most appropriate type of medical monitoring; and (2) develop a program for training of existing personnel and procuring specialized equipment required under criteria for certification of such centers. Prohibits discrimination by any employer, insurance carrier, or any other person against any employee on the basis that the employee has been notified by the Secretary of being at risk of any occupational disease. Requires that the employee retain the same rates of pay, benefits and seniority as in the former job if, based upon sound medical advice or monitoring initiated under this Act, it is determined that the employee should be transferred to a less hazardous or non-exposed job. Prohibits any health care financing system from discriminating against an employee who has been notified by the Secretary under this Act in the payment of the costs associated with a medical monitoring program, or any subsequent treatment, including treatment required by a medical monitoring examination or the onset of disease. Sets forth procedures for review of discrimination complaints. Provides for reinstatement and specified compensation for employees who are discriminated against in violation of this Act. Sets forth civil penalties for persons or institutions that violate such discrimination prohibitions. Provides for injunctive relief against violations of this Act or any rule or regulation promulgated under this Act. Requires each health care financing system (including public and private health insurance programs, and the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and disability benefits under the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program) to provide appropriate testing, evaluation, and medical monitoring services to employees as required under this Act. Requires that the cost of testing, evaluation, and medical monitoring required by an employee as a result of hazardous occupational exposure and notification under this Act be included as a covered item in any health care financing system available to such employees through their employment or as individual purchasers of health insurance. Provides that any treatment provided by a health care financing system to an employee for a subsequent disease that was subject to a notification under this Act may constitute an insurance subrogation claim against a workers' compensation program or insurance carrier. Provides that notification of risk to an employee under this Act and subsequent medical evaluation and monitoring shall not constitute a workers' compensation claim, nor shall such notice toll any statute of limitations with respect to such a claim, except as specifically provided by law under a workers' compensation statute. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 and subsequent fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Amends part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require, in order to establish and maintain improved AFDC quality control standards and procedures: (1) each State to collect and submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services a statistically reliable sample of AFDC cases; (2) the Secretary to review the sample and notify the State of its error rate; and (3) the State to develop and submit to the Secretary a corrective plan for eliminating or reducing errors. Permits waivers if a State has had a consistently low error rate. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria for corrective action plans. Provides for financial sanctions for States with error rates exceeding certain levels. Permits waivers of the sanctions in certain instances. Defines "error rate" as the ratio of erroneous payments to total payments. Defines "erroneous payments" as: (1) payments to ineligible families; and (2) overpayments to eligible families. Directs the Secretary to study and to report to the Congress concerning: (1) the nature of AFDC client errors; (2) measures of a State's performance under the AFDC program which are broader than the current quality control system based on payment accuracy alone; (3) the desirability of including underpayments as "erroneous payments"; and (4) the cost effectiveness of error reduction. Provides, with respect to title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Act, for the continuation of certain regulations relating to Federal liability for error rates in State supplementation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Commission on Congressional Financing Act - Establishes the Bipartisan Commission on Congressional Campaign Financing to consider and study laws, regulations, and public commentary relating to the financing of congressional elections. Requires such study to give particular attention to the extent to which current campaign financing practices undermine public confidence in the Government. Requires the Commission to consider the following changes in the present system of campaign financing: (1) increasing or decreasing allowable contributions; (2) initiating a plan of public financing; (3) making available free or subsidized broadcasting time; or (4) examining the role of independent expenditures. Directs the Commission to make reasonable efforts to achieve the broadest bipartisan consensus in arriving at its recommendations. Requires the Commission, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, to submit to the Congress its final report. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of such report. Requires the Director of the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress and the Chairman of the Federal Election Commission, not later than two months after enactment of this Act, to transmit briefing papers to the Bipartisan Commission which catalog and synthesize pertinent reports, analyses, and recommendations. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should ratify the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Comprehensive Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation Act - Title I: Oil Pollution Liability and Compensation - States that this title is inapplicable to the United States regarding oil pollution damages during any period in which both the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1984 and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1984 are in force with respect to the United States and compensation is available. Permits claims for damages for economic loss arising from oil pollution for: (1) removal costs; (2) injury to or destruction of real or personal property; (3) reasonable costs incurred in assessing injury or destruction of natural resources and in planning, restoring, or acquiring the equivalent of the damaged resources; (4) loss of subsistence use of natural resources; (5) loss of profits or impairment of earning capacity due to such injury or destruction; and (6) loss of tax revenue for a period of one year due to injury to real or personal property. Specifies the potential claimants who have standing to assert claims involving such damages. Imposes joint, several, and strict liability on the party responsible for the source of oil pollution. Specifies liability limits (except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct) for vessels. Sets forth defenses to liability. Makes the Marine Oil Pollution Insurance Corporation, established under Title II of this Act (the Corporation), liable for damages not otherwise compensated. Requires the responsible party for certain vessels over 300 gross tons and the party responsible for offshore facilities to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility in an amount sufficient to satisfy applicable liability limits. Limits the liability of a guarantor to the aggregate amount of financial responsibility that the guarantor provided. Specifies procedures whereby the Secretary of Transportation shall designate and advertise oil pollution sources. Directs the Secretary to advertise claims to be presented initially to the responsible party or to such person's guarantor, in instances in which: (1) the responsible party and guarantor both deny involvement; (2) the source of the discharge is a public vessel; or (3) the Secretary is unable to designate the pollution source. Permits claimants either to present a claim to the Corporation or to bring an action in an appropriate U.S. court if liability is denied or the claim is not settled within a specified period. Sets forth procedures for the disposition and appeal of claims submitted to the Corporation. Requires both the plaintiff and the defendant in a court action brought against a responsible party or guarantor to forward copies of all pleadings to the Corporation. Permits the Corporation to intervene in such actions. Requires a claim to be presented within three years of discovery of an economic loss, or within six years of the date of the incident, whichever is earlier. Subrogates any person, including the Corporation, to all the claimant's claims and rights under this title. Sets forth the measure of recovery for actions brought by the Corporation against any responsible party or guarantor. Grants U.S. district courts exclusive original jurisdiction over all controversies arising under titles I, II, and III of this Act, without regard to the citizenship of the parties or the amount in controversy. Makes the rights and remedies under this title exclusive with respect to economic loss caused by oil pollution (but does not preclude State imposition of taxes or fees to finance the purchase and prepositioning of oil pollution cleanup and removal equipment). Sets penalties for persons failing to comply with specified provisions in this Act. Authorizes appropriations for this title. Title II: Marine Oil Pollution Insurance Corporation and Compensation Fund - Establishes the Marine Oil Pollution Insurance Corporation as a wholly owned Government corporation under the supervision of the Secretary of Transportation. Vests management of such Corporation in an Administrator to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Establishes the Marine Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (the Fund) to be administered by the Corporation. Makes the Fund available for purposes of: (1) removal costs incurred under specified laws; (2) costs incurred by the President or a State Governor (as trustee) in assessing damaged natural resources and preparing a restoration and acquisition plan regarding such damaged resources; (3) certain uncompensated damage claims; (4) implementing certain laws regarding oil pollution; and (5) contributions to the International Fund. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to set guidelines for the collection of premiums for deposit into the Fund. Sets a premium of 1.3 cents per barrel of crude oil or other petroleum products for payment into the Fund. Limits payment on any claim (except removal costs) to the extent that payment would result in the Fund having less than $30,000,000. Establishes a liability limit per incident for the Corporation. Sets a maximum civil penalty for failure to pay premiums into the Marine Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. Provides that if the balance of any fund is to be transferred to the Fund, any claim arising before the effective date of this Act shall be paid from the Fund. Provides that if the Secretary determines that there is a Trans-Alaska Pipeline (TAP) fund deficit, then the premium imposed on oil first transported through such Pipeline shall be increased by a certain amount until the total amount of increased premiums equals the deficit. Title III: Regulations, Effective Dates, and Savings Provisions - Specifies the effective dates of specified provisions of this Act. Eliminates the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Liability Fund and provides that all unused assets of such Fund shall be rebated directly to the operator of the Trans-Alaska oil pipeline for pro-rata payments to those owners who had paid into such Fund. Amends specified laws, including the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Intervention on the High Seas Act, the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978 and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act, to conform with the provisions of this Act. Transfers to the Fund amounts remaining in the Deepwater Port Liability Fund and the Offshore Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (both having been eliminated by the above repeals). Title IV: Implementation of Conventions - Recognizes the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (International Fund) as a legal person under the laws of the United States. Requires, in any action brought in the United States against the owner of a ship or his guarantor under the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, that the International Fund and the Marine Oil Pollution Compensation Fund be served a copy of the complaint and any subsequent pleading. Entitles the International Fund to intervene as a party in any such action. Exempts the International Fund from all direct taxation in the United States. Requires any contribution to the International Fund to be paid from the Marine Oil Pollution Compensation Fund. Sets forth the jurisdiction of the U.S. district courts for controversies arising under the Civil Liability Convention or the International Fund Convention. Requires U.S. courts to recognize final judgments of courts of nations which are a party to the Civil Liability Convention or the International Fund Convention. Requires the owner of each U.S. documented ship, or any ship, wherever registered, which enters or leaves a U.S. port or terminal carrying more than 2,000 tons of oil in bulk as cargo to establish and maintain evidence of financial responsibility in amounts sufficient to cover the maximum liability arising from one incident under the Civil Liability Convention. Imposes a civil penalty for noncompliance with such financial responsibility requirement. States that the United States waives all defenses based on its status as a sovereign state with respect to any controversy arising under the Civil Liability Convention or the International Fund Convention relating to any ship owned by the United States and used for commercial purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to encourage the President to allocate some of the international military education and training funds for training in maritime skills provided by the Coast Guard. Excludes such training from the general prohibition against using such funds to provide police training.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a clinical trial in order to determine the efficiency and economic feasibility of providing Medicare (title XVIII of the Social Security Act) coverage for personal emergency response systems. Requires each personal emergency response system to include, for purposes of the clinical trial: (1) communication equipment located in the home which transmits signals for emergency medical assistance over the telephone; (2) a local response center to monitor such signals; and (3) medical personnel or other persons to provide emergency medical assistance. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Secretary to transmit to the Congress a report containing the findings and conclusions of the clinical trial, along with any legislative recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1985
High Technology Research and Scientific Education Act of 1985 - Title I: The Credit for Increasing Research Activities - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax credit for research and development (R&D) expenditures. Modifies the definition of qualified research for purposes of the R&D credit to narrow the category of eligible activities for which the credit is allowable. Provides that in-house and contract research expenses paid or incurred by a regular corporation (not an S corporation, a personal holding company, or a service corporation) will constitute qualified research expenses for R&D credit purposes if the corporation undertakes the research with the intention to use the result thereof in the active conduct of a present or future trade or business. Provides that in the case of research being conducted in partnership form, research expenses will constitute qualified research expenses if they are incurred by the partnership in carrying on a trade or business as applied at the partnership level, and the credit is apportioned among the partners in accordance with general partnership rules. Provides exceptions to this general rule where: (1) there is a joint venture enterprise of regular corporations; or (2) not all of the members of the joint venture are regular corporations, but each member's own trade or business would satisfy the trade or business test with respect to the partnership's research expenditures. Provides that for these two exceptions the research expenses will flow through to the partners, with the trade or business test being applied at the partner level. Title II: Promotion of University Research and Scientific Investigation - Establishes a new income tax credit equal to 20 percent of that portion of a corporation's payments to universities (and other qualified non-profit tax-exempt organizations for basic research) which exceeds a fixed, historical "minimum university basic research" floor. Defines the "minimum university basic research" floor as one percent of the annual average of the corporate taxpayer's combined qualified in-house research expenses, contract research expenses and university basic research payments for the base period composed of the period from 1981 through 1983. Provides that the amounts of research expenses which fall below the floor shall remain eligible for the present R&D credit and are included in the corporation's base period for purposes of calculating the present R&D credit. Treats the amounts which exceed the "minimum university basic research" floor as ineligible for the present R&D credit and excludes such amounts from the corporate taxpayer's base year research expenses for purposes of calculating the corporations R&D credit under present law. Provides that a corporation's payments to universities for basic research that is eligible for the new tax credit shall be reduced to the extent that the corporation's general (i.e., not designated for research purposes) charitable giving to all universities falls below historical levels (the annual average of undesignated payments for three of the immediately preceding four years as selected by the taxpayer). Makes additions to the list of organizations to which corporate payments for basic research may be made and be eligible for the tax credit. Allows a corporation an income tax deduction for contributions of scientific or technical property to an institution of higher education. Defines scientific property to mean tangible personal property (including computer software) used in a trade or business, which is donated for the direct education of students or faculty, for research and experimentation, or for research training in the United States in mathematics, the physical, biological, or chemical sciences, engineering, or advanced computer sciences. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of the allowable deduction for contributions of scientific property. Provides for an income tax exclusion for the scholarships, fellowship grants, student loan forgiveness, or stipends of a graduate student in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or the physical or biological sciences. Provides that such tax exclusion is not forfeited merely because the student is required, as a condition of the scholarship or fellowship, to perform future service in teaching or research.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 for the Maritime Administration for: (1) payment of obligations incurred for operating differential subsidy; (2) research and development activities; and (3) operations and training activities. Authorizes appropriations for the Federal Maritime Commission for FY 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow members of the armed forces to bring claims for damages against the United States for personal injury or death arising out of medical or dental care furnished by a Department of Defense hospital.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Hate Crime Statistics Act - Directs the Attorney General to include within the Uniform Crime Reports the incidence of the intentional destruction of religious property (robbery, burglary, theft, arson, vandalism, and trespass) and offenses against persons and property committed to express racial, ethnic, or religious prejudices (homicide, assault, robbery, burglary, theft, arson, vandalism, and trespass).
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1985
Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the Secretary of Transportation to restore the Federal bumper standard as it existed on January 1, 1982. Declares that the Secretary is not prohibited from imposing a stricter standard than the standard to be restored.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
African Famine Relief and Recovery Act of 1985 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to provide assistance for famine relief, rehabilitation, and recovery in Africa. Requires that not less than 80 percent of the funds appropriated for such relief shall be used for grants to private and voluntary organizations and international organizations. Requires that at least 18 percent of funds appropriated for such relief shall be used for emergency health projects. Requires that a specified amount of funds appropriated for such relief shall be transferred to the operating expenses of the Agency for International Development for management support activities relating to emergency food assistance for Africa. Authorizes supplemental appropriations for FY 1985 for such relief. Authorizes supplemental appropriations for FY 1985 to the Department of State for migration and refugee assistance in Africa. Requires that not less than 54 percent of the funds appropriated for such assistance shall be made available to the United Nations Development Program Trust Fund for refugee assistance in Africa. Requires the remaining amount to be used by the Bureau for Refugee Programs of the Department of State for emergency relief and recovery efforts in Africa. Requires that amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act shall be available only for aid in those African countries that have suffered during 1984 and 1985 from exceptional food supply problems due to drought and other calamities. Requires such assistance to be provided without regard to the prohibition against aid to countries which have nationalized or expropriated property of U.S. citizens. Requires that the President shall ensure that such assistance is provided to the famine victims for whom it is intended. Requires the President to report to the Congress by June 30, 1985, on: (1) the emergency needs for African famine assistance; and (2) the projected FY 1985 contribution by the United States to meet an appropriate share of such needs. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should submit a request for supplemental funding for emergency African famine assistance if available funding is insufficient to meet the projected contribution.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Amends the Peace Corps Act to declare that it is U.S. policy and a purpose of the Peace Corps to provide opportunity for service in the Peace Corps to at least 10,000 persons by the end of FY 1989 and thereafter. Directs the President to report to the Congress on plans to carry out such policy.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Amends veterans' health-care provisions by requiring the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to maintain an enrollment system for veterans furnished health and medical care by the Veterans Administration (VA). Provides for active and inactive status of veterans enrolled in the system. Gives priority care to veterans already enrolled in the system over those applying for such care, with a specified exception. Directs the Administrator to maintain a tracking system for veterans enrolled in the VA health-care system.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to set aside ten percent of Veterans Administration controlled intermediate-care hospital beds for veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Directs the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, to report to the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees on treatment by the Veterans Administration of veterans suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related organic brain disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1985
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans Affairs to provide treatment to any veteran suffering from Alzheimer's disease or a related organic brain disorder, regardless of the age of such veteran.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Made in America Act - Limits the total number of new imported motor vehicles that may be introduced into interstate commerce for retail sale during any calendar year after 1985 to 15 percent of the aggregate number of new domestic and imported motor vehicles that were introduced into interstate commerce for retail sale during the base year. Defines the "base year" as the second calendar year preceding a calendar year for which such restrictions are established. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to allocate the number of new imported motor vehicles among foreign vehicle manufacturers on the basis of their respective shares of the U.S. market during the base year. Requires the Secretary to determine the limits for each calendar year at least four months before the beginning of the year. Requires the Secretary to publish the limits and the allocations for foreign manufacturers in the Federal Register. Imposes civil penalties for violations of the quantitative restrictions on imports. Requires each foreign vehicle manufacturer that produces more than 25,000 new imported vehicles that were introduced into interstate commerce for retail sales during any calendar year after 1982 to provide the Secretary with production, importation, distribution, and sales information. Terminates the quantitative limitations any time after December 31, 1990, if the Secretary finds that injury to the domestic industry has been prevented or remedied. Requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on actions taken under this Act and on the impact of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Automobile Fuel Efficiency Amendments of 1985 - Title I: Amendments to Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act - Amends the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to consult with the Secretary of Energy before establishing testing and calculation procedures for measuring automobile fuel economy. Authorizes (currently, directs) the Administrator to require fuel economy tests in conjunction with emissions tests conducted under the Clean Air Act. Directs the Administrator to measure a sampling of production passenger automobiles for each model type and year during the first month of manufacture for sale. Requires the adjustment of average fuel economy standards when necessary. Requires manufacturers to reflect any changes in such standards on automobile labels not more than 90 days after such changes are available. Requires that Federal testing and calculation procedures be repeated over a period of years to monitor automobile performance in use to determine the extent of decline in fuel economy. Directs the Administrator to periodically review procedures for testing fuel economy. Increases fuel economy standards for model years 1988 through 1995 and thereafter. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, by rule, to amend such standards to a level determined feasible. Establishes the average fuel economy standard for automobiles which are not passenger automobiles (light trucks) for model years 1988 through 1995 and thereafter. Exempts manufacturers of less than 10,000 light trucks per year from such standards. Conditions such exemption upon the Secretary's establishing alternative standards. Directs the President to promulgate rules requiring light trucks used by the Federal Government to meet average fuel economy standards. Directs the Administrator to update the booklet containing fuel economy data at least twice a year. Directs the Secretary of Energy to distribute at least 100 booklets each year to each dealer and additional numbers if requested. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to award fuel efficiency incentive grants to States which have in effect qualified revenue-raising measures designed to encourage automobile fuel efficiency. Vests jurisdiction in the U.S. district courts for injunctive enforcement of labeling and mileage guide requirements. Directs the Secretary, within two years of enactment of this Act, to submit suggestions to the Congress for additional legislation to carry out its purposes and the purposes of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to determine whether manufacturers are likely to comply with the revised average fuel economy standards without new incentives. Requires the Director to suggest cost-effective incentives if necessary to assure compliance. Requires the Secretary to promulgate test procedures for determining the relative fuel economy of automobile tires. Directs the Secretary to prescribe labeling rules applicable to all tires for which test procedures are established and requires manufacturers to comply with such rules. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of such labeling requirements and vests jurisdiction in the U.S. district courts to restrain such violations. Title II: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code Relating to Compliance With Average Fuel Economy Standards by Automobile Manufacturers - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a low average fuel economy excise tax on automobile manufacturers for model years 1988, 1991, and 1995. Allows a credit against such fuel economy tax for manufacturers who exceed the average fuel economy standard. Sets forth conforming amendments for provisions of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Summer Youth Employment, Training, and Education Act of 1985 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to require the addition of an education component to the summer youth employment and training programs under part B of title II (Training Services for the Disadvantaged) of JTPA. Requires that each service delivery area (SDA) be allotted an amount equal to at least 90 percent of the amount available to such area for the summer youth program in the preceding fiscal year. Requires ratable reductions in the allocation to each SDA if appropriations are not sufficient to provide such amount to each SDA. Requires that allotments to States and allocations to SDAs be: (1) made in accordance with provisions for prompt allocation of funds; and (2) available for planning purposes before the beginning of the summer months for which allotted and allocated. Requires that summer youth program funds be used so that participants spend a portion of their time on individualized, self-paced, remedial and basic academic and functional competency development and achieve specified types of performance standards established and developed in each SDA. Requires that the portion of a participant's time spent on such competency development be in addition to, and not in place of, regular employment under the summer youth program. Prohibits summer youth program funds from being used to provide employment to any individual who fails to comply with attendance standards established by the SDA with respect to such education components. Prohibits summer youth program funds from being used to compensate or reward participants for attendance at such education components, except under specified provisions which require that a portion of matching funds be used to provide bonuses to participants for achievement of academic and functional competence. Specifies that planning for summer youth programs does not have to be conducted during the summer months. Sets forth matching fund requirements for summer youth programs. Requires each private industry council (PIC), for each program year beginning after June 30, 1987, to make available from non-Federal sources an amount for use in such programs equal to at least one and one-half percent of the amount made available under JTPA for such programs in that SDA for the applicable program year. Allows each PIC, for program years beginning July 1, 1985, and July 1, 1986, to make available such matching amounts. Limits, for any program year beginning after June 30, 1987, such matching amounts to not less than $20,000 and not more than $100,000 per SDA. Requires each PIC to notify the State of the PIC's matching amount by April 1 of the preceding program year. Requires each State, for program years beginning after June 30, 1987, to provide to each PIC an amount equal to the PIC matching amount. Allows States to provide such State matching amount from non-Federal sources or to use funds available to them under part A (Adult and Youth Programs) of title II of JTPA and under chapter 2 (Consolidation of Federal Programs for Elementary and Secondary Education) of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981. Requires each State, for program years beginning July 1, 1985, and July 1, 1986, to reserve one and one-half percent of its State allotment under part A, to be allocated to PICs in proportion to the matching amounts made available by such PICs for such program years. Requires that such matching amounts be used to: (1) support the education and training components of the summer youth programs; (2) provide bonuses to participants for achievement of academic and functional competence; and (3) after complying with (1) and (2), create additional employment opportunities under the summer youth programs. Allows matching amounts to be in cash or in-kind, but requires that in-kind matching amounts be in the form of state-of-the-art basic and remedial education materials and equipment suitable for use for summer youth programs for the applicable program year. Requires each SDA to maintain complete records on the improvements in academic and functional competency attained by participants in the summer youth programs. Requires that such records be compiled by reference to State and locally determined general education diploma and basic education competency requirements. Requires each SDA to submit summaries of such records to the State. Requires States to submit annual reports on such summaries to the Secretary of Labor. Directs the Secretary to include an analysis of such reports in the Secretary's annual report to the Congress on employment and training programs. Provides that a specified portion of the State allotment under JTPA which is currently available for State education programs shall also be available to carry out matching requirements for summer youth programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Economic Conversion Act - Title I: Prenotification of Base Closures and Defense-Related Contract Cancellations - Directs the Secretary of Defense, through the Economic Adjustment Committee, to notify State and local governments and regional organizations within a specified period of time of a proposed realignment or closure of a military installation or of the cancellation or termination of a defense contract or failure to proceed with an approved major weapon system program. Title II: Economic Conversion Pilot Program - Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for job retraining programs and planning for alternative production required by cancellation of defense contracts during FY 1986 through 1990. Permits one grant for each defense contract cancellation or reduction. Requires the administration of such grants at the local level by a capable unit of general local government or, through default, by the collective bargaining agents of affected employees. Directs the Secretary to make weekly assistance payments to such employees affected by a cancellation or reduction of a contract valued at $10,000,000 or more during FY 1986 through 1990. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of such assistance, making allowances for unemployment compensation or public assistance received and health insurance coverage needed. Sets forth assistance application procedures and notification requirements. Makes available for such grants the amount of previously appropriated funds which the United States will save as a result of the cancellation or reduction of a defense contract.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
Idaho Wilderness Act - Designates the following lands in Idaho as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) the Salmo-Priest Wilderness in the Panhandle National Forest; (2) the Long Canyon-Selkirk Crest Wilderness in the Panhandle National Forest; (3) the Scotchman's Peak Wilderness in the Panhandle National Forest; (4) the Grandmother Mountain Wilderness in the Panhandle National Forest; (5) the Mallard-Larkins Wilderness in the Panhandle and Clearwater National Forests; (6) the Great Burn Wilderness in the Clearwater National Forest; (7) the Moose Mountain Wilderness in the Clearwater National Forest; (8) the Elk Summit Wilderness in the Clearwater National Forest; (9) the North Fork Clearwater Wilderness in the Clearwater National Forest; (10) the Fish and Hungry Creeks Wilderness in the Clearwater National Forest; (11) the Rapid River Wilderness in the Payette National Forest; (12) the Salmon River Breaks Wilderness in the Payette National Forest; (13) the South Fork Salmon River Wilderness in the Payette and Boise National Forests; (14) the Snowbank Mountain Wilderness in the Payette and Boise National Forests; (15) the Payette Crest Wilderness in the Payette and Boise National Forests; (16) the Pace Rock Wilderness in the Boise National Forest; (17) the Deadwood River Wilderness in the Boise National Forest; (18) the Breadwinner Wilderness in the Boise National Forest; (19) the Lime Creek Wilderness in the Boise National Forest; (20) the Red Mountain Wilderness in the Boise National Forest; (21) the Sawtooth Completion Wilderness in the Boise, Sawtooth, and Challis National Forests; (22) the Trinities Wilderness in the Boise National Forest; (23) the Danskin-South Fork Boise River Wilderness in the Boise National Forest; (24) the Pioneer Wilderness in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests; (25) the Cache Peak Wilderness in the Sawtooth National Forest; (26) the Borah Peak Wilderness in the Challis National Forest; (27) the King Mountain Wilderness in the Challis National Forest; (28) the Pahsimeroi Wilderness in the Challis National Forest; (29) the North Lemhi's Wilderness in the Salmon and Challis National Forests; (30) the West Bigholes Wilderness in the Salmon National Forest; (31) the Diamond Peak Wilderness in the Targhee, Salmon, and Challis National Forests; (32) the Italian Peaks Wilderness in the Targhee National Forest; (33) the Lionhead Wilderness in the Targhee National Forest; (34) the Centennial Mountains Wilderness in the Targhee National Forest; (35) the Garns Mountain Wilderness in the Targhee National Forest; (36) the Palisades Wilderness in the Targhee National Forest; (37) the Bear Creek Wilderness in the Targhee National Forest; (38) the Caribou Mountain Wilderness in the Caribou National Forest; (39) the Cache Crest Wilderness in the Caribou National Forest; (40) the Mt. Naomi Wilderness in the Caribou National Forest; (41) the West Fork Mink Creek Wilderness in the Caribou National Forest; and (42) the Caribou City Wilderness in the Caribou National Forest. Permits livestock grazing in the North Lemhi's Wilderness. Directs the Secretary to review and report to the President within five years of enactment of this Act on the suitability for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System of the Boulder-White Clouds Wilderness Study Area in the Sawtooth and Challis National Forests. Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to manage such lands so as to retain their wilderness character. Provides that the RARE II (second roadless area review and evaluation) final environmental statement (dated January 1979) with respect to national forest system lands in Idaho shall not be subject to judicial review. Releases national forest system lands in Idaho which were reviewed in the RARE II program from further review by the Department of Agriculture, pending the revision of initial national forest management plans. Releases lands in Idaho reviewed in the RARE II program and not designated as wilderness from management as wilderness areas. Prohibits the Department of Agriculture from conducting any further statewide roadless area review and evaluation of national forest system lands in Idaho without express congressional authorization.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1985
National Acid Deposition Control Act of 1985 - Title I: Acid Deposition Control and Assistance Program - Amends the Clean Air Act to mandate emission reductions and retrofit technology for the 50 fossil fuel fired electric utility generating plants which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency identifies and lists as having had the largest total emissions of sulfur dioxide during the calendar year 1980. Permits the owner or operator of such a plant to substitute a fossil fuel fired steam generating unit in the same State or plant for an identified electric utility, subject to the Administrator's approval. Requires substitute units to meet certain performance standards beyond their useful lives. Requires emission limitations compliance schedules to require the use of technological systems of continuous emission reduction for each steam generating unit in the generating plant (other than steam units serving as substitutes) and the reduction of sulfur dioxide emissions to 90 percent or 70 percent of 1980 emissions levels. Determines compliance on a plantwide basis and on the basis of average annual emissions. Subjects substitute unit compliance schedules to the same requirements but evaluates compliance for the unit rather than plantwide. Directs owners or operators of listed plants and substitute units to submit a compliance schedule to the Administrator for approval. Directs the Administrator to promulgate a schedule for listed plants without an approved schedule. Requires schedules to mandate contracts for technological systems by the start of 1993, system installation by 1995, and compliance with emission standards for 1995 and subsequent years. Directs the Administrator to make available 90 percent of a system's construction and installation costs from the Acid Deposition Control Fund, Conditions payments upon minimizing rate increases to the customers of the utility. Directs the Administrator to compute each State's share of the 12 million ton reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions required within ten years of enactment of this Act. Counts a State's excess tonnage from fossil fuel fired electric utility plants and steam generating units and industrial process emitters of sulfur dioxide. Sets forth the formula for determining a State's share of total reductions using such excess tonnage. Permits States to reallocate reductions among themselves so long as total reductions meet specified requirements. Directs each State to submit a plan for Administrator approval, detailing how such State is going to reduce its share of emissions to compliance levels in ten years. Subjects States without an approved plant to back-up emission limitations which represent between a 75 and 80 percent reduction for 1980 emission levels or the national average best available control technology emissions limit for industrial process emissions. Permits States discretion in means of compliance. Sets forth fund availability conditions, including an approved State plan and funding based upon a State's share of the total required emission reductions. Allows States to use such funds to effect the requirements of this Act in whatever way the State deems appropriate. Establishes in the Treasury the Acid Deposition Control Fund to provide funding for emissions reductions from specified appropriations. Sets forth conditions and administrative provisions for such Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on the current and five-year projected financial condition of the Fund. Imposes a fee on each kilowatt hour of electric energy generated by an electric utility in the contiguous States. Exempts electricity generated by nuclear or hydroelectric power. Directs the Administrator to make payments to utilities who provide electricity to low-income individuals in order to reduce rates for such customers. Establishes civil and criminal penalties and empowers the Administrator to bring civil actions against an electric utility in violation of the fee requirement. Terminates the fee after ten years. Directs the Administrator to carry out a demonstration project of the limestone injected multistaged burner (LIMB) technology, using limited funds. Directs the Administrator to make grants and contracts to accelerate research for developing other advanced industrial processes to reduce levels of sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1991. Title II: Control of Nitrogen Oxide Emissions - Directs the Administrator to revise nitrogen oxides emissions standards for electric utility steam generating units which burn bituminous or subbituminous coal. Sets maximum subbituminous emissions at 0.30 pounds per million Btu's and maximum bituminous coal emissions at 0.40 pounds per million Btu's, based on a 30-day rolling average. Requires the Administrator to promulgate emissions standards for new, large fossil-fuel-fired steam generating units. Establishes oxides of nitrogen emissions standards for light duty trucks after model year 1987. Title III: Acid Deposition Damage Mitigation Program - Establishes a grants program for States with Administrator-approved plans for mitigating water quality damage caused by a acid deposition. Limits such grants to 80 percent of State-expended funds for mitigation. Apportions funds among the States upon the basis of need.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Amends the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act to direct the Secretary of Transportation to enter into cooperative agreements for the establishment of regional training centers to train State and local personnel to: (1) respond to hazardous materials transportation accidents; and (2) enforce State and local hazardous materials transportation requirements. States that such agreements shall be for terms of three years. Requires any party to an agreement with the Secretary to bear the cost of constructing training facilities. Directs the Secretary to provide, upon request, training materials and other assistance as may be appropriate. Requires parties to agreements with the Secretary, in developing training materials, to consider the procedures and standards for responding to hazardous substance releases as set forth in the national contingency plan required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Caribbean Infrastructure Assistance Act - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1986 through 1989 to provide for the implementation of Peace Corps technical training programs aimed at the infrastructure needs of specified countries in the Caribbean region. Lists the infrastrucutre needs of such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to permit States to adopt more stringent right-to-know standards than those under OSHA. Permits any State to adopt any requirement (including any labeling requirement) requiring information to be provided to employees concerning hazardous substances to which they may be exposed in the course of their employment if: (1) such State requirement is more stringent than the OSHA standard in effect which relates to the same issue; or (2) there is no OSHA standard in effect relating to such issue. Treats a State requirement as more stringent than the OSHA standard if it: (1) requires more information to be provided to employees; or (2) is otherwise more effective in providing safe and healthful employment and places of employment. Provides for the separability of individual requirements for purposes of determinations under this Act. Requires compliance both with a more stringent State requirement and with the OSHA standard which relates to the same issue. Provides that, where compliance with both standards would be physically impossible, compliance with the OSHA standard shall not be required. Makes the provisions of this Act applicable in all States without regard to whether a State plan has been submitted, approved, or disapproved.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Hazardous Air Pollutants Amendments Act of 1985 - Title I - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to classify 36 substances into two categories for purposes of determining whether such substances are hazardous air pollutants as defined under provisions for national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAPs). Requires that 26 substances, including methyl isocyanate and each of the 22 substances listed in specified testimony of the Administrator before the Congress, be classified in the first category. Requires that ten additional substances, from among the 37 substances identified to Congress on a specified date by the EPA as being in the assessment phase of the review process, be classified in the second category. Authorizes the Administrator to substitute for a category two substance another substance if the Administrator determines that there is a higher priority for determining whether the substitute is a hazardous air pollutant. Directs the Administrator to commence hazardous air pollutant determination proceedings concerning first category substances within 90 days and second category substances within one year after enactment of this Act. Provides for public and scientific community participation. Directs the Administrator to make a hazardous air pollutant determination for first category substances by January 1, 1986, and for second category substances by January 1, 1987, and to publish a list of such pollutants and all categories of stationary sources which emit such pollutants. Directs the Administrator to promulgate national emission standards for category one stationary sources by January 1, 1988. Requires promulgation of category two stationary sources emission standards by January 1, 1989. States that actions required of the Administrator under this Act are nondiscretionary and enforceable by any person bringing a civil action. Treats a listed substance as a hazardous air pollutant until the Administrator makes a determination if the required determination has not been made by the specified deadline. Directs a court to issue an order requiring a substance classified in the first or second category to be treated as a listed hazardous air pollutant until the Administrator completes further proceedings if the court reviewing a determination of no hazard remands such determination to the Administrator for further proceedings. Directs the Administrator, by January 31, 1987, to commence hazardous air pollutant determination proceedings for each substance which: (1) has been classified, prior to January 31, 1987, by the national toxicology program as a known carcinogen; (2) is an air pollutant; and (3) is not determined among the 36 substances classified in two categories. Requires that such proceedings be completed within one year. Requires annual hazardous air pollutant determination proceedings for each air pollutant which has been classified during the preceding year by the national toxicology program as a carcinogen. Directs the Administrator to publish and periodically revise a list of air pollutants determined to be hazardous, the categories of stationary sources emitting such pollutants, and national emission standards for each category. Permits the most stringent interim emission standards achievable for up to six years where the application of all potential emission reduction measures would not meet the national emissions standard. Requires as a minimum for such standards that level of control which is empirically available or required in a permit. Directs the Administrator to review all emissions standards in effect on December 1, 1984, within four years of this Act's enactment. Authorizes the Administrator to waive through a permit the prohibition against constructing or modifying a stationary source of a listed hazardous pollutant and subject such source to an interim standard. Requires existing stationary sources emitting hazardous air pollutants to obtain from the Administrator a permit requiring compliance with the applicable national standard or an interim standard if achievement of the national standard is not possible using all potential emission reduction measures. Applies the same conditions to interim standards for existing stationary sources as apply to new or modified sources. Sets forth emergency extension of waivers procedures, requiring the source owner or operator to petition the State's Governor who in turn may petition the President after public notice for such extension. Requires notice to the Governor and residents of any other State affected by such waiver. Requires the President to notify the Congress of all extensions granted. Sets forth general permit requirements for sources emitting hazardous air pollutants with respect to: (1) monitoring; (2) hearings; (3) revocation; (4) terms; and (5) fees. Title II: Hazardous Air Pollutants from Motor Vehicles - Establishes a program for controlling motor vehicle hazardous air pollutants. Directs the Administrator to publish and periodically revise a list of such pollutants, including lead, ethylene dibromide, diesel particulates, benzene, and any pollutants already listed under this Act if the Administrator determines they are emitted from motor vehicles or their parts. States that actions required of the Administrator under this title are nondiscretionary and enforceable by any person bringing a civil action within approximately 18 months. Directs the Administrator to prescribe emissions standards for all identified motor vehicle hazardous air pollutants except lead. Permits the promulgation of interim standards, subject to the same conditions applicable to interim standards for stationary sources. Makes emission standards effective with the second model year after the model year during which the standard is prescribed. Establishes minimum emissions standards for diesel particulates broken down by vehicle weight. Directs the Administrator to control or prohibit the manufacture and sale of fuel or fuel additives determined to be hazardous air pollutants. Directs the Administrator to prohibit the use of lead or lead additives in gasoline after December 31, 1986.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Chemical Manufacturing Safety Act of 1985 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to include releases into the air from an underground storage tank. Reduces from 36 to 18 months after the enactment of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (November 8, 1984) the time within which new underground tank performance standards become effective. Reduces from 48 to 24 months after such date the effective date of certain regulations covering underground storage tanks containing regulated substances. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to include pesticides within chemical substances under such Act only when the manufacturing and processing is completed and the pesticide is distributed. Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act by adding a new title II concerning the communities' right-to-know, emergency planning, and liability. Requires each covered manufacturer, distributor, user, and importer of a covered hazardous substance (potential releasors) to prepare and update a fact sheet for such substance for distribution to local police, fire, and health officials. Requires the fact sheet to include the name, physical properties of, and hazards posed by the substance, including potential routes of human exposure to such substance, symptoms of such exposure, and appropriate emergency and first aid procedures. Requires status sheets on the same basis as fact sheets, with each status sheet to include the maximum inventory and method of storage of the substance, the quantity of its emission into the environment, and the quantity and method for disposal. Requires the releasor of a covered hazardous substance in an emergency situation to provide an emergency bulletin to the State and local police and other local officials. Requires the bulletin to identify the name and amount of the substance released and the response actions taken. Requires fact and status sheets and emergency bulletins to be made available for public inspection with public notice of such availability at the facility of the potential releasor. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to publish a uniform format for fact and status sheets. Authorizes a State's Governor to identify local officials to receive covered hazardous substance release information, with the Administrator doing so in the absence of the Governor's identification. Requires the potential releasors to maintain records of information required by this Act. Requires manufacturers or importers to transmit fact sheets to covered distributors or users upon shipping of a covered hazardous substance. Excludes certain small businesses and research, medical, and household uses from coverage under this Act. Provides protection for trade secrets while continuing to make necessary information available to the appropriate persons. Excludes listed or possible carcinogens from such protection. Sets forth application and substantiation procedures for trade secret claims. Permits affected citizens or government officials to compel disclosure of nonsubstantiated trade secrets through the Federal courts. Authorizes the Administrator to grant exemptions from the basic notification requirements of this Act through specified procedures open to the public, based upon a cost-benefits analysis where there is no reasonable likelihood of harm. Directs each covered major manufacturer to develop within two years of the enactment of this Act a comprehensive evacuation and emergency response plan which addresses the health and safety issues applicable to such manufacturer's particular situation. Requires the plan to include designations of the appropriate government officials to be notified, mitigation measures, evacuation routes, notification plans, and evaluation of community support services. Authorizes each Governor to designate emergency response districts within 18 months of the enactment of this Act or the Administrator will do so. Permits each Governor to appoint an Emergency Response Committee per district or the Administrator will be treated as such Committee. Requires such Committees to review the manufacturers' plans, revising them where necessary. Directs the Administrator within 18 months of the enactment of this Act to develop uniform national mandatory labeling requirements for pipes, storage tanks, or containers not otherwise required to be labeled which could reasonably be presumed to release a covered hazardous substance. Requires the label to indicate the appropriate response to a release. Directs the Administrator to designate covered major manufacturers for emergency response purposes within one year of the enactment of this Act. Limits the designation to those whose substances would pose an imminent and substantial danger to health and the environment if released in significant quantities. Includes all persons covered under this Act in lieu of such designations. Includes Federal departments as potential covered major manufacturers. Exempts those whose emergency activities are sufficiently covered under other Federal or State law. Renders the manufacturer or processor strictly liable for damages caused by accidental or abnormal releases, excluding act of God or war. Covers medical, burial, and economic losses as well as pain and suffering (to a limited extent). Includes specified analysis and scientific evidence and studies among the evidence which may be introduced to establish causation. Establishes a three-year statute of limitations from the date of the enactment or the date of realization of injury for causes of action for injury from the release of a covered hazardous substance, whichever is later. Provides that this Act does not preempt State or other law in the area of liability for damages. Requires entitled individuals to receive compensation for injuries sustained from a hazardous substance release from workers' compensation rather than under this Act. Sets forth categories of substances to be considered covered hazardous substances and procedures for adding additional substances. Directs the Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to compile and update a digest of all such substances. Exempts certain substances for this Act's purposes, based upon the form, amount, and other regulation of such substances. Establishes civil and criminal penalties, limiting criminal penalties to the knowing violation of emergency requirements. Authorizes citizens' suits to enforce this Act. Permits States to adopt more stringent right-to-know standards in the workplace context and emergency response requirements. Permits State and local governments to impose fees upon potential releasors to cover administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that fishermen who are treated as self-employed for social security tax purposes shall be treated as self-employed for pension plan purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
Requires that funds be made available from appropriations under the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1985 to enable the National Institutes of Health to award 6,500 new and competing research grants in FY 1985.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1985
States that the Congress supports the restoration of democratic institutions and human rights in Chile. Calls upon Chile to negotiate with the democratic opposition. Provides that until Chile returns to democracy: (1) U.S. military and economic assistance to Chile should be denied and all joint military activities ceased; (2) the Overseas Private Investment Corporation should not issue additional investment insurance to Chile; and (3) the United States should oppose all loans and grants to Chile by certain international financial institutions unless such assistance is directed to programs which serve the needs of the people.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1985
Synthetic Fuels Corporation Fiscal Responsibility Act - Amends the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation Act of 1980 to terminate the authority of the United States Synthetic Fuels Corporation (the Corporation) to enter into any awards or commitments for financial assistance. Directs the Corporation's Board of Directors to submit a final report to the Congress regarding the status of the Corporation within 60 days after enactment of this Act. Prohibits the Corporation from expending any funds or acting in furtherance of any commitment made after February 5, 1985, unless a joint resolution approving such transaction is enacted. Requires the Secretaries of Energy and of the Treasury and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to agree on a Memorandum of Understanding which includes a plan for: (1) the abolition of the Corporation; and (2) for the administration of synthetic fuels projects which will continue after the abolition of the Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1985
Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the President should urge Canada to discontinue imposing taxes on travel literature imported from the United States; and (2) a reciprocal tax imposed on imported Canadian literature may be appropriate if Canada continues to impose such taxes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Studds, Gerry E. [D-MA-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001040_200.jpg)